The king cobra is the world’s longest poisonous snake. It is a highly poisonous snake. It averages 3.7 m (12 ft) in length but is known to grow to 5.5 m (18 ft). It is a thin snake, olive or brown in color, with bronze eyes. The king cobra can be found throughout southeast Asia, from India to southern China to Malaysia, from Indonesia to the Philippines.
It is is considered to be the most intelligent of all snakes. King cobras are generally found in dense or open rainforests, as well as swamps, bamboo thickets, and even around human settlements. They are excellent swimmers, often being found near streams, and are avid tree climbers. They are often found in mountainous regions of India, up to altitudes of 6500 ft above sea level.
Their head is small and rounded, with large scales edged in black. The body is slender, and the tail is long and tapering. Coloration ranges from yellow-olive to brownish black. The snake can raise its head to a third of its length and may even move forward while upright. It has a loud, intimidating hiss resembling a dog's growl. It sometimes assumes an upright posture to see farther. The king cobra is an active hunter. It preys almost exclusively on other snakes. It is not normally aggressive to humans, but it is hostile and dangerous during the breeding season or when cornered or startled. Its paralyzing venom is so copious and powerful that elephants have died within three hours of a bite.
Tags: Cobra, King